Welcome to our in-depth review of the Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker machine. If you’ve been dreaming of restaurant-quality pizza from the comfort of your home, this appliance might just be the answer you’re looking for. Over the past two months, we’ve put this machine through its paces, hosting six lively pizza parties and subjecting it to rigorous, heavy use each time. We’re excited to share our comprehensive findings, including both the undeniable strengths and a few minor drawbacks of this innovative kitchen gadget. This review aims to help you decide if the Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker is the perfect addition to your culinary arsenal. (Photo above from Williams Sonoma, where you can purchase the Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker.)

Contents

Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker: Achieve Authentic Pizzeria-Style Pizza at Home

For anyone who yearns for the unmistakable taste and texture of brick-oven pizza but lacks the space or budget for a dedicated outdoor oven, the Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker offers an incredibly close alternative. This isn’t a statement made lightly, nor is it influenced by any compensation. While I do have a few minor criticisms of the appliance – which I’ll detail later – it has unequivocally enabled me to consistently produce fantastic pizzas with the kind of bubbly, blistery, and perfectly charred crust that was once only achievable in professional pizzerias. What’s more, each pizza is cooked to perfection in a remarkably quick 6-8 minutes, transforming homemade pizza nights into a truly gourmet experience.

Unpacking the Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker: Key Specifications

(Photo from Williams Sonoma)

The design and specifications of the Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker are tailored for efficiency and optimal pizza cooking. Here’s a closer look at what makes this home pizza oven stand out:

Compact Size: Measuring 11″ wide by 18″ deep by 14″ high and weighing a mere 14 pounds, this machine is surprisingly compact. Its modest footprint means it can be easily stored in most kitchen pantries or on a countertop without hogging valuable space, making it a practical choice for kitchens of all sizes.
Powerful Performance: Operating at 1200 watts, the Breville pizza maker is designed to reach incredibly high temperatures. While the manufacturer specs state it heats up to 660°F, our own measurements of the pizza stone often showed it reaching almost 700°F. This extreme heat is crucial for achieving that authentic crispy crust, far exceeding what most conventional home ovens or even BBQ grills can provide.
Essential Inclusions: The machine comes complete with a high-quality pizza stone, which is vital for drawing moisture from the dough to create a crisp base. Additionally, a helpful recipe booklet is included, offering guidance on dough preparation and various pizza ideas to get you started on your pizza-making journey.

Mastering Your Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker: A Step-by-Step Guide

Our journey to perfect pizza began by following the pizza dough recipe provided in the Breville booklet. One detail that immediately impressed us was the call for 00 flour, a finely milled Italian flour traditionally favored for authentic pizza dough and handmade pasta. As avid pasta and pizza enthusiasts, we often purchase 00 flour in bulk from local Italian markets. It’s also increasingly available at gourmet grocery stores like Whole Foods. In a pinch, when 00 flour was hard to find, I even kindly asked my local pizzeria if they would sell me a few pounds of their flour – and they obliged! However, if 00 flour is inaccessible or you prefer not to seek it out, regular all-purpose flour can still yield delicious results.

My colleague, Nathan, took on the task of dough preparation. He found the recipe straightforward and quickly mastered the process. To ensure the pizzas fit perfectly within the Breville pizza oven, he meticulously rolled out the dough to exactly 9 1/2 inches, even tracing a template onto parchment paper as a guide.

With the dough expertly rolled, the stage was set for topping.

PRO: One of the most significant advantages of the Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker is its exceptional heating capability. While Breville specifies a maximum temperature of 660°F, our measurements consistently showed the pizza stone reaching nearly 700°F. This intense heat is a game-changer, far surpassing the temperatures typically achieved in standard home ovens or even outdoor grills, and it’s the secret to producing an authentic crispy crust.

When topping your pizza, remember to be sparing with ingredients and leave a generous border around the edges. Overloading the pizza can lead to uneven cooking, and ingredients may spill onto the hot pizza stone, creating a mess and potentially burning.

Carefully slide the prepared pizza, along with its parchment paper base, into the Breville pizza maker. Set a timer for just one minute. The parchment helps in transferring the pizza smoothly onto the hot stone.

It’s crucial not to leave the parchment paper in for too long, as it will burn. After that initial minute, simply yank out the paper, allowing the pizza dough to make direct contact with the searing hot stone for the remainder of its cooking time. Five more minutes, and your pizza will be perfectly done, showcasing that coveted crispy crust.

Here’s one of my personal favorites: a delightful combination of creamy ricotta, fresh mozzarella, and aromatic basil. Notice the stunning blistered crust – absolutely beautiful and a testament to the Breville’s performance.

We’ve made countless pizzas with this machine. Below are more examples from various pizza parties (apologies for varying photo quality; these were taken on different days and often with my phone).

A gourmet blend featuring prosciutto, rich ricotta, tender artichokes, and a drizzle of fragrant garlic olive oil.

A classic rendition with savory tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and spicy salami.

An adventurous combination: tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, tangy goat cheese, roasted beets, all topped with fresh baby arugula and a luxurious drizzle of truffle oil after cooking.

PRO: Consistently, every single pizza emerges from the Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker with a beautifully crispy, blistery crust. The bottoms are always perfectly and evenly cooked, a challenging feat to replicate with such precision using any other home appliance. This machine truly delivers on its promise of an authentic, crispy crust.

Optimized for Thin Crust Pizza Perfection

The Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker truly excels when used for thin crust pizzas. While it is technically possible to attempt thicker crusts, we strongly advise against it for optimal results. The design of the machine, with its high-intensity heating elements, is specifically engineered to rapidly cook thin dough, resulting in that signature crispy base.

CON: One notable limitation of the Breville pizza maker is the restricted space between the pizza stone and the upper heating element, which measures approximately 1 3/4 inches. Even with thin crust pizzas, if the dough puffs up excessively in certain areas, it can come into contact with the heating element. This can cause localized burning and smoke, detracting from the perfect bake. Careful attention to dough thickness and topping distribution can help mitigate this issue, ensuring your pizza remains perfectly cooked.

Despite these occasional minor burns, the resulting pizza is still incredibly delicious, a testament to the machine’s overall performance and the quality of the crust it produces.

Cleaning and Maintenance: Addressing a Minor Challenge

CON: While the pristine images on sites like Williams Sonoma showcase a gleaming Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker, it’s important to set realistic expectations for cleanup. After just a few uses, the pizza stone will naturally darken – a sign of it becoming “well-seasoned” – and the interior of the machine, particularly the upper lid and heating element, will inevitably show discoloration. Cleaning the upper lid, especially around the non-removable heating element, can be quite cumbersome. It requires careful scrubbing and patience to remove splattered cheese or sauce.

However, a darkened pizza stone is not a cause for concern; it’s merely “well-seasoned” and indicates continued use. For the stone, I recommend simply using a metal spatula or a pastry bench scraper to scrape off any charred bits. I personally avoid using soap on porous pizza stones, as I believe they can absorb the soapy taste. A good scrape and rinse with water is usually sufficient. While the cleaning process presents a minor inconvenience, it’s a small price to pay for the phenomenal pizza this machine consistently delivers. My small gripes about maintenance certainly won’t deter me from wholeheartedly recommending the Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker to fellow pizza lovers.

Host an Unforgettable Pizza Party with Your Breville

One of the greatest joys of owning the Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker is the opportunity it creates for hosting fantastic pizza parties. Imagine gathering friends and family, each crafting their unique pizza masterpiece. A single batch of dough from the included Breville booklet typically yields 4-6 pizzas. For a party of eight adults, we usually double the dough recipe to ensure everyone gets plenty of delicious slices. The key to a successful pizza party lies in preparation and offering a wide array of fresh, exciting toppings. Here’s a comprehensive list of ideas to set up an impressive pizza topping bar:

Essential Topping Station Categories:

Cheeses: Shredded mozzarella, fresh mozzarella slices, creamy ricotta, tangy goat cheese, sharp Parmesan, or even a blend of Italian cheeses.
Greens: Fresh baby arugula, tender baby spinach, or finely chopped kale for a healthy touch.
Herbs & Spices: Fresh basil leaves, delicate fresh thyme sprigs, dried oregano, garlic powder, or a classic Italian herb blend to elevate the flavors.
Jarred Vegetables: Roasted bell peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, sweet roasted beets, pineapple chunks (for the controversial few!), various olives, spicy banana peppers, slow-roasted garlic cloves, or sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil.
Seafood: Anchovies for a bold, salty kick, or tiny cooked shrimp.
Meats: Thinly sliced prosciutto, savory ham, classic pepperoni, cooked shredded chicken, or crumbled cooked sausage.
Sauces: Your favorite pizza sauce (Trader Joe’s often has great options!), tangy BBQ sauce, vibrant pesto (their Quinoa Pesto is a favorite!), or even a drizzle of honey for a sweet and savory finish.
Fresh Vegetables: Thinly sliced mushrooms, delicate skinny asparagus (or fatter asparagus split lengthwise), rings of red onion, ripe tomato slices, or earthy roasted/sautéed wild mushrooms.
Fruits: Sliced pears, crisp sliced apples, or luscious sliced figs for unexpected sweetness.
Oils & Nuts: High-quality olive oil for brushing and drizzling, pine nuts, or crunchy walnuts for added texture.

For an extra touch of flavor, always brush a little olive oil on the edge of the pizza dough before baking. You can also sprinkle some dried garlic or an Italian herb blend on the crust for an aromatic boost.

Our Favorite Pizza Combinations:

BBQ Chicken Pizza: A base of BBQ sauce, topped with shredded chicken and thinly sliced red onion. After cooking, drizzle with a little more BBQ sauce for an intense flavor.
Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese: A sophisticated blend of earthy roasted beets and creamy, tangy goat cheese.
Ricotta, Artichoke & Fresh Arugula: A luxurious pizza with ricotta and artichokes. After baking, pile on fresh baby arugula, sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt, and finish with a generous drizzle of good olive oil.
Ricotta and Fig: A sweet and savory delight with ricotta and fresh figs. Drizzle with honey immediately after cooking.
Pear and Gorgonzola: The elegant combination of sweet pears and pungent Gorgonzola cheese. Finish with a drizzle of honey and a scattering of walnuts after it comes out of the Breville.

Expert Tips for Hosting Your Breville Pizza Party:

Pre-Cooked and Thinly Sliced Ingredients: Remember that pizzas cook in about 6-8 minutes in the Breville. Ensure all your ingredients are thinly sliced or pre-cooked to guarantee even heating and don’t delay the quick cooking time.
Dough Thickness is Key: Aim for a dough thickness of about 1/4 inch when rolling out. For a lighter, airier crust, use your hands to stretch the dough; excessive use of a rolling pin can result in a denser, flatter pizza. I prefer a gentle approach, starting with a few rolls and then switching to hand stretching with my knuckles. While spinning pizza dough in the air is fun, it takes practice to avoid making it fly like a frisbee!
Don’t Overload: Keep toppings spare. Overloaded pizzas will become soggy, fail to cook evenly, or may even burn due to excessive moisture and density. Less is often more for true crispy crust perfection.
Parchment Paper Technique: Draw a 9 1/2-inch circle on parchment paper and use it as your guide for dough size. You can use the parchment to slide the pizza from your peel directly onto the stone. However, be sure to pull out the parchment paper after just 1 minute to prevent it from burning and to allow the dough to crisp directly on the hot stone.
Offer Sides: Since each pizza takes around 6 minutes to cook, your guests might get hungry waiting for their turn. Have a few refreshing salads and other small nibbles available to keep everyone content and entertained while pizzas are being made.
Manage Dough Bubbles: If your pizza dough starts rising too high in certain spots and threatens to touch the heating element, open the machine briefly and use a sharp paring knife to gently pop the dough bubble. If any dough or ingredients do come into contact with the heating element, use a spatula or the back of a butter knife to carefully scrape them off, preventing burning and smoking.

Supporting Our Culinary Journey

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The Breville Crispy Crust Pizza Maker is often available on Amazon, though stock can sometimes be limited due to its popularity. You can also find this fantastic machine at most Williams Sonoma stores, both in-person and online.